Cultured Pearl Association of America has new Prez

[GemGeek]

Fran Mastoloni is the new president. See article on newly elected board. http://www.jckonline.com/article/32...ssociation_of_America_Announces_New_Board.php

 

[Caitlin]

'Keep it in the family' rules! Yea nepotism- yaa, right!

This organization is held tightly by the Mastolonis--Who would join it except his dealers?

 

[jshepherd]

Well, Fran and Edward are not the same people. Hopefully he will do the industry some good.

 

[knotty panda]

On Mastoloni's website, look at the catalog. Pg. 25 lots of celebrities wearing cultured pearls. Except one. Jackie Kennedy Onasis. How is it anyone in the pearl business doesn't know those pearls are faux? Granted, the most famous fauxs in the world, not to mention most expensive, but faux nonetheless. She purchased them at Bergdorf-Goodman's for $35.00.

 

[MSchechter]

The CPAA is really more than just the Mastoloni's. Sonny from Tara and Peter from Imperial have been major players in that group for some time. We are members and we are definitely not one of his dealers.

I was at the latest meeting and Fran seems intent on improving the relevancy of the group. Time will tell, but I bet Fran will do a good job.

 

[Caitlin]

Thanks for that clarification. Mastoloni is one of my pet peeves, but not Imperial.
I would love to see the organization grow away from Mastoloni's imprint. He and his son (the nepotism I referred to) really worked a number on this site and one of their blogs)They resorted to sabotage replete with lies. (the threads are still around on this site.)

So who is Fran? What does CPAA offer to its members? They have been heavily biased against online dealers, instead of seeing the future in it, for instance. That was one point in the kerfuffle they stirred up. What changes are being made? Please post as this goes on.

 

[MSchechter]

Understandable and I am aware of that situation (no need to open old wounds )

Fran is a member of the Mastoloni family and has always been a good guy in my experience. CPAA is the collective of several pearl dealers working together to help promote pearls as an industry. I honestly cant speak to exactly what they offer members as we've just recently come back into the group. However, I do know that the group has expanded their thoughts on online dealers. I was very happy to see them embrace this change. Peter from Imperial is very involved and would probably be able to offer more information on the value of membership.

I will be certain to update as changes occur, but Fran just took over the position a few weeks ago. I can assure you that we are as interested as you are.

As for nepotism, I can't knock it... it is how I got my job (we are three generations of cultured pearls in our family).

 

[MSchechter]

One thing that I forgot to mention is I know they worked with Instore magazine and their membership on an upcoming pearl story that will be published later this year.

 

[Caitlin]

Pearls tend to run in families and I have no problem with that; I was referring to the CPAA as an org. It looks like a new time may be coming. I'll open my mind a crack.

 

[MSchechter]

We tend to do that, but it is also nice when someone like Jeremy comes along who did not originally have family ties to the industry. We can both help each other have a bit of faith here... just ask Peter, I needed the same pep talk